Christian Travel to Jerusalem

Most Christian have a desire to visit the Holy Land some day. Because much of their faith has deep roots in this area, it is a place where Christians can learn more about the culture of Bible days, meet people of that culture, and walk where Jesus walked.

Jerusalem holds special significance for Christians who come from all over the world. Although tourists of many faiths visit Jerusalem annually, the majority of the vacationers are Christian people, desiring to learn more about their faith and their God. Consequently, many of the attractions, souvenirs, and tours are specifically designed for those who are of the Christian faith.

One of the first places that Christians enjoy visiting is the Old City of Jerusalem and its four quarters, which are surrounded by eight gates. The four quarters consist of the Christian Quarter, the Arab Quarter, the Jewish Quarter and the Armenian Quarter. Each quarter has different attractions and sites to visit that will prove interesting. Bear in mind that the environment of each quarter is different and it is best to get information about each before visiting so you will know what to expect and where to go.

The last remains of the Jewish temples that was built more than 2,000 years ago is the Western or Wailing Wall. This wall provides the boundary between the Temple Mount of the Muslim Quarter and the Jewish Quarter. Due to the historical and emotional significance of the Wailing Wall, many Christians visit here. This is a place where many will stop to meditate, reflect and pray to God, with some leaving their own prayer request within the wall.

If you are interested in history and archeology, you will want to be a part of the Western Wall Tunnel Tour, which goes through the underground parts of the Western Wall. This tour shows the progression of the Temple Mount from the first temple period to today. The Temple Institute is another amazing place to visit where most of the ritual tools used in the holy temple have been reconstructed. Here you will find a book store, museum and a short movie describing the temple instruments.

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is considered the holiest Christian site in the world. The church is located in the Christian Quarter of the Old City and is the location of the Via Dolorosa, or The Way of the Suffering. The Garden Tomb is located here and also, you will find a trail of fourteen Stations of the Cross, said to be the path that Jesus walked from the time of his arrest until the time of his resurrection. The last five stations are located inside the Church of Resurrection. Walking in the path of Jesus is something that Christians thoroughly enjoy and remember for a lifetime.

In the Armenian Quarter of Old Jerusalem is a fortress inside the city wall beside the Jaffa Gate called the Citadel. Excavations indicate that it may date back to the Herodian empire and it has been a fortress of protection for hundreds of years. The St. One of the most beautiful and elaborate of all the churches in Jerusalem, the James Cathedral is located in the Armenian Quarter. Built over the tomb of James the Apostle, it was built in the eleventh and twelfth centuries. The vespers service is amazing, as the seminary students of the Armenian Orthodox seminary chant each afternoon from 3:00 – 3:30 PM, producing a moving and beautiful tone that is unforgettable. The inside of the building is lit by hundreds of oil lamps hung from the ceiling. There are no seats, but the floor is laden with thick Oriental rugs.

The City of David contains ruins which are the very oldest part of Jerusalem, dating back to the capture of the Babylonians in 586 BC. Here in this age spot, you will find 13th century BC walls, along with fragments of King David’s palace. The Mount of Olives contains many interesting places to visit, with recommendations to travel to the top of the mount by taxi and slowly make your way through the points of interest as you make your descent. A few places you can visit on the slopes of the Mount of Olives is the Church of the Pater Noster, Cave of Gethsemane, Tombs of the Prophets, and the Mosque of the Ascension.

There are places to eat and stay within each of the four quarters of Old Jerusalem and also within Modern Jerusalem. There are hotels of every size, shape and cost in Israel to meet the traveling needs of everyone. There are many choices of hotels in Jerusalem, making this an easy task. The spiritual journey you experience in Jerusalem is one that will stay with you the rest of your life.

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